The United States has indicated that it would be prepared to take military action against North Korea, which is pursuing a provocative goal of developing a missile that could reach the American mainland.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, speaking in Seoul, Friday made it clear that the U.S. policy of strategic patience has ended.
“Let me be very clear: The policy of strategic patience has ended,” Tillerson said in a first clear-cut enunciation of President Donald Trump’s policy towards Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile provocations.
“We’re exploring a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures. All options are on the table,” the top American diplomat said in a tough talk, making a clear departure from the previous Obama Administration’s policy of restraint.
He was clear that any threats “would be met with an appropriate response.”
In the most explicit comments yet on thee issue since the Trump Administration’s inception in January, Tillerson added : “If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action, that option is on the table.”
Meanwhile, Pyongyang’s threatening posture has also rattled Beijing, which has, on the one hand, lambasted North Korea with economic and political measures, and on the other hand, has objected to the U.S. deployment of anti-missile system – aimed at deterring North Korean missiles- in South Korea, fearing that it would help America spy on China.
But South Korea has also experiencing a political upheaval with the oustere of the Park government. Moon Jae-in, a lead candidate in the upcoming May elections, says he would return to sunshine policy of the past and reach out to North Korea with economic and political engagement.
